Dear Friend,
The search for unity and wholeness resonates throughout all aspects of Judaism and Jewish thought and was at the forefront a century ago in shaping the vision for the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. The founders determined that YIVO must encompass the entirety of Jewish life—religion, social history, traditions, languages, and shared memory.
For 100 years, YIVO has embodied that vision of wholeness and unity—through its extensive Archives and Library dating back to the 16th century; its worldwide zamler movement that collected materials in every European language, and many non-European languages; and its interest in every aspect of Ashkenazi daily life, from diet and hygiene to labor unions and sports clubs, as well as in every facet of Jewish religious life, politics, philosophical inquiry, and artistic expression.
This comprehensive approach to capturing the breadth of Jewish life has produced eclectic holdings spanning Yiddish art, music, and joke books; the correspondence of Albert Einstein; Yemenite jewelry; the largest collection of Ladino material in North America; and Hasidic nigunim and Yiddish operettas. It is also the essential surviving record of millions of victims of the Holocaust. All of these disparate fragments of being Jewish come together at YIVO, and today, this vision has never been more important.
In celebration of our Centennial, we have planned a host of exciting events including an exploration of the YIVO Sound Archives’ role in the revitalization of klezmer music; a look at new trends in YIVO scholarship; and a conference, YIVO in America, accompanied by an exhibition, Hail to the Zamlers: YIVO’s Collections at 100. The milestone will also be commemorated in two forthcoming publications.
In our anniversary year, thanks to our global community, YIVO is a dynamic, optimistic, and expanding organization. As we enter our second century, we continue our commitment to promoting the wholeness and unity of Jewish life, encouraging all to connect with the complex, vibrant culture, social relationships, ritual observance, and history that comprise the Jewish experience.
אַ פֿריילעכן פּסח
A freylekhn Peysekh!
Sincerely,
Jonathan Brent
Executive Director & CEO